If you live in the London region then today heralds 'the biggest change to television in a generation' as the big switch to digital begins.
Digital switchover day in London (Copyright: PA)The capital finally moves from an analogue signal capable of only broadcasting the five traditional channels – BBC One and Two, ITV, Channel 4 and Five – to a digital signal packed with dozens of free-to-air channels.
It is the last major region of the UK to be switched and, as well as freeing up space in the airwaves for new 4G mobile phone networks, the move ensures broadcasts are up to 10 times better quality.
All those living within the M25 or just outside it in Berkshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, and Surrey
are likely to be affected as the transmitter at Crystal Palace provides their signal.
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If you have a satellite or cable TV subscription you will not be affected. Manual retunes will be required on Freeview set-top boxes and TVs with built-in Freeview channels.
Those with BT Vision or Top Up TV will also need to retune, and because the switchover happens on two separate days - April 4 and 18 - viewers will need to carry out the process twice to avoid losing any channels.
Analogue TV sets in the area will need to be converted to receive digital.
During the first stage today, BBC Two’s analogue version will close and it will only be available through digital systems.
The second stage begins on April 18, with analogue BBC One, ITV1, Channel 4 and Channel 5 switched off forever.
But with basic Freeview boxes costing as little as £20, there is no reason for analogue sets to turn into a screen of white fuzz. The boxes are simple to plug in and set up with help available for those over 75 or the disabled.
It is important to remember you do not need to change your aerial. If you have a good analogue reception now, your current aerial should be fine once the switchover occurs.
If you’re unsure if it will work, Teletext page 284 allows you to check your reception and see if it does need an upgrade.
The analogue-to-digital TV switchover is on. Are you ready? (Copyright: PA)With nearly five million households in the London region watching an estimated 11.7m TV sets, bosses at Digital UK – the body in charge of the switch – predict more than a million could go blank initially due to viewer inaction.
But if you live in an area where the Freeview signal is patchy or non-existent, then the switchover represents good news. The spare capacity freed up by the changes creates enough room to broadcast Freeview to 400,000 more homes currently facing a digital blackspot, while also improving picture quality for existing viewers.
In a bid to inform viewers of the change large warning messages are being broadcast on analogue TV channels as well as on digital.
Deborah Bain, London Manager for Digital UK, said: “This is the biggest day for TV in London since Crystal Palace started broadcasting 56 years ago...thousands of viewers across the capital and beyond can receive more channels and better quality pictures.
"Anyone who still hasn’t switched to digital should prepare for 18 April when the last analogue channels will be permanently switched off. We urge everyone to get ready now – don’t leave it until the last minute.
"We know from elsewhere in the country that some people leave it very late to prepare for switchover. Almost any set can be converted to digital, even black and white ones, so now is the time to get ready.
“Most people will find the process straightforward, but some may need a bit of extra help, so we will provide advice and assistance throughout the switchover period.”
Retuning should be easy but the exact method does vary depending on the manufacturer of your technology.
The option to retune should normally be found within the settings, installation or setup menu and commonly the on-screen command will direct you to ‘scan for channels’.
Freeview is not the only digital service though. If you have an old Sky dish on the wall, Freesat has more channels and is also available without having to pay a monthly fee to the likes of Sky or Virgin Media.
You also need to remember that old VHS video recorders or DVD recorders will not have a record function after the switchover if the devices are recording directly from an analogue signal and not from a digital TV or set-top box.
A Freeview+ recorder is similar to Sky+ or Virgin’s TiVo and will ensure you receive all the digital channels available in your area as well as being able to record two channels at once.
To be sure what will work, all compatible equipment carries the ‘digital tick’ logo.
If you are over 75 or disabled, you can get advice or assistance from the Switchover Help Scheme run by the BBC.
They offer everything needed to convert one TV to digital, including installation on the equipment and a new aerial if needed, for £40.
Those eligible and also on income-related benefits, get help for free. You can find out more at www.helpscheme.co.uk
And if you’re still unsure, digitaluk.co.uk has all the information viewers need. You can also call the Digital UK advice line on 08456 505050.
